PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Giovanni Nicodemo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Curran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Giovanni Nicodemo has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Nicodemo
vs
Curran

170 cm
22
155 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

169 cm
22
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Giovanni Nicodemo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mario Curran!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nicodemo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A slow jab from Nicodemo misses its intended target.
Curran with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nicodemo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Nicodemo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nicodemo tries to circle away but Curran has him pinned against the cage.
Curran lands with a short shot to the head.
Curran tries to score a body lock takedown but Nicodemo shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nice elbow from Curran.

Nicodemo manages to break the clinch.
Curran bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nicodemo's head backwards.
Nice uppercut there from Nicodemo.
Curran tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nicodemo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nicodemo moves out of range of the strikes.
Nicodemo is looking to counter the offense by Curran and move into the clinch.
Curran avoids the body shot from Nicodemo.
Curran takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Curran connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Curran throws a sloppy head kick and Nicodemo moves out of range easily.
Nicodemo punishes Curran's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Curran connects with an inside leg kick.
Curran defending well as Nicodemo loads up on a big left hand.
Nicodemo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nicodemo with a jab.
Nicodemo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Giovanni Nicodemo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nicodemo clobbers Curran with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nicodemo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nicodemo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Curran.
Curran moves out of range of the strikes.
Curran was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Nicodemo with a hook.
The fighters circling - Nicodemo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nicodemo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nicodemo throws a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nicodemo throws a body shot but no joy.
Curran cracks Nicodemo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curran cracks Nicodemo with a good jab.

Curran pushes Nicodemo up against the cage in a clinch.
Nicodemo lands a body shot.
Curran working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Curran blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nicodemo.

Nicodemo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Curran throws the left hand but Nicodemo avoids the punch easily.
Curran lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A left lands for Nicodemo.
Curran scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nicodemo. Curran does a little dance to reset his feet.
Curran throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nicodemo cracks Curran with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nicodemo cracks Curran with an open hand slap.
Nicodemo fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curran keeps the fight on the outside.
Curran moves out of range as Nicodemo strikes.
Curran changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Curran looks to land a right hand but Nicodemo moved out of range.
Nicodemo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Curran scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Curran throws a poor cross that misses
and Nicodemo counters with a stiff right hand.
A swing and a miss from Nicodemo.
A nice leg kick lands there from Curran.
Nicodemo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Curran uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo looks to land a combination but Curran avoids it well.
Curran throws a poor cross that misses
and Nicodemo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nicodemo is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Nicodemo stuns Curran with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nicodemo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nicodemo misses with a jab to the body
and Curran counters with a nice low kick that buckles Nicodemo's knee momentarily.
Curran feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nicodemo's calf.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Curran looks to land a combination but Nicodemo avoids it well.
Curran slips under a jab from Nicodemo.
A right-left combo lands from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo looks to score with a jab to the body but Curran is just out of range.
Curran throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Curran manages to avoid it.
Nicodemo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Curran loads up on a big right hand but Nicodemo slips the punch.
Nicodemo slips a straight right by Curran.
Curran ducks under a wild hook from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Curran counter with a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nicodemo walks into a stiff left hand from Curran.
Curran turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Curran lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Nicodemo misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mario Curran will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nicodemo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nicodemo misses the shot to the body.
Nicodemo lands with a cross.
Curran avoids the body shot from Nicodemo.
Curran thows a left - swing and a miss!
Curran bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Curran misses with a looping left.
It looked like Nicodemo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Curran uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nicodemo.
Curran throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nicodemo.
Curran scores with a jab. Nicodemo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nicodemo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A combination from Curran does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curran turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nicodemo throws a body punch but Curran moves out of range.
Curran misses with a body kick.
Curran lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nicodemo's sensitive parts.
Nicodemo scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Curran. Nicodemo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nicodemo misses with a hook.
Nicodemo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nicodemo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nicodemo misses with a hook
and Curran finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Curran misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo slips under a jab from Curran.
Nicodemo takes a swing at Curran's ribcage but misses.
Nicodemo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nicodemo swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Curran.
Nicodemo with a hook.
Nicodemo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Curran looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nicodemo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Curran moves out of range of the strikes.
Nicodemo lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A solid body kick from Curran.
Nicodemo connects with a body shot.
Nicodemo looks to throw the jab but Curran is out of range.
Nicodemo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nicodemo throws an overhand right that lands on Curran's shoulder, as Curran tries to avoid the shot.

Curran drives through and clinches with Nicodemo against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Nicodemo as the two fighters clinch.

Nicodemo breaks from the clinch.
Nicodemo ducks under a wild hook from Curran.
Nicodemo connects with a body shot that sends Curran's belly button to the back.
Nicodemo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Curran closes the distance and clinches.
Curran prevents Nicodemo from breaking the clinch.
Nicodemo working aggressively here.
Nicodemo swings wildly with an uppercut but Curran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nicodemo working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo misses with a punch on the inside.
Nicodemo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Curran scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nicodemo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nicodemo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Curran prevents a body shot from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The referee calls for Curran to work.
Curran misses with some punches.
Nicodemo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nicodemo blocks an uppercut.
Curran taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Nicodemo misses with some punches.
Mario Curran seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nicodemo throws a punch but it's blocked by Curran.
Nicodemo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Curran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nicodemo lands a shot to the body.
Nicodemo blocks an uppercut.
Curran lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nicodemo backwards.
Nicodemo working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo avoids the elbow strike from Curran, against the cage.
Curran lands with a short shot to the head.
Curran misses with a short punch on the inside.
Curran tries a body shot but Nicodemo blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Curran lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nicodemo tries to work over Curran's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nicodemo lands with a short shot to the head.
Curran misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nicodemo swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Curran has picked Nicodemo up - he's going for a ride! Curran dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Nicodemo is looking to improve his position.
Curran seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nicodemo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nicodemo wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mario Curran will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Curran uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nicodemo.
Curran scores with a sloppy right hand. Nicodemo should have avoided that one.
Nicodemo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nicodemo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nicodemo misses with an uppercut.
Nicodemo moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Curran misses the target.
A slapping leg kick lands for Curran.
Curran tries to close the distance and clinch but Nicodemo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nicodemo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Curran moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicodemo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nicodemo swings for the body but Curran moves out of range.
Nicodemo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Curran.
Giovanni Nicodemo is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nicodemo. Curran does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nicodemo throws a poor cross that misses
and Curran connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curran throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nicodemo cracks Curran with a good jab.
Sloppy strikes from Nicodemo. Those never looked like landing.
Nicodemo throws the left hand but Curran avoids the punch easily.
Curran looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nicodemo misses with a looping right.
A good leg kick by Curran.
Nicodemo misses with a looping left.
Curran looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Curran showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo misses with an uppercut
and Curran counters with a stiff right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Curran misses the target.
Nicodemo throws a series of punches but Curran moves out of range.
Nicodemo lands with a good body shot.
Nicodemo misses with a looping right.
Curran wants to slow Nicodemo down by chopping away at his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curran connects with a nice looking jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nicodemo throws a shot to the body.
Nicodemo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Curran smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nicodemo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Curran moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A big left from Curran misses.
Curran catches Nicodemo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Curran scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Curran lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Curran manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Nicodemo on his heels. He'll look to pass Nicodemo's guard now, I'm sure.
Curran postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Curran works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nicodemo is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Curran working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Curran not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nicodemo trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Nicodemo taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curran punishing his opponent with strikes.
Nicodemo tries to reverse the position but Curran maintains control.
Mario Curran has got the better of the ground game so far.
Curran looking to finish Nicodemo with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nicodemo!
Giovanni Nicodemo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Curran controlling the position easily from mount.
Curran trying to control but Nicodemo is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Curran comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Curran winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mario Curran!
A victorious Mario Curran thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.